[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4216-4219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-370]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0948; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-041-AD;
Amendment 39-16575; AD 2011-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA Model TBM 700 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD)
for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of
an improved design.
Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical
damage inside the power plant compartment.
To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the
alternator/compressor support.
We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 1, 2011.
On March 1, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, listed in this
AD.
As of October 8, 2008 (73 FR 54067, September 18, 2008), the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin
SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in this AD, contact SOCATA--
Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France; telephone: +33
(0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7-54; or in the United States
contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry Airport, 7501
[[Page 4217]]
South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone: (954)
893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, ACE-112, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2010
(75 FR 59658), and proposed to supersede AD 2008-19-06, Amendment 39-
15673 (73 FR 54067; September 18, 2008). That NPRM proposed to correct
an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states that:
Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of
an improved design.
Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical
damage inside the power plant compartment.
To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the
alternator/compressor support.
Revision 1 of the AD 2008-0129-E introduced an alternative
temporary solution with the aim to restore the capability to make
use of the air conditioning system. This solution consists in
replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a time-limited
assembly of a new design, corresponding to the SOCATA modification
MOD 70-0240-21.
A definitive solution has been released to production aeroplanes
by implementation of SOCATA modification MOD 70-0243-21 or Service
Bulletin (SB) 70-176-21 for in-service aeroplanes.
This AD which supersedes EASA AD 2008-0129R1-E retaining its
requirements, limits the AD applicability and requires
accomplishment of the terminating action.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 66 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per product.
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $44,880, or $680 per product.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 4218]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15673 (73 FR
54067; September 18, 2008) and adding the following new AD:
2011-02-02 SOCATA: Amendment 39-16575; Docket No. FAA-2010-0948;
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-041-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 1,
2011.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-19-06, Amendment 39-15673.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to SOCATA TBM 700 airplanes, serial numbers
(S/Ns) 434 through 509, 511 through 516, 519, 520, and 522 through
525, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 21: Air
Conditioning.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Following the rupture of an alternator and vapour cycle cooling
system pulley drive assembly, the AD 2008-0067-E was published to
require the replacement of the pulley drive assembly by a new one of
an improved design.
Later on, cases of rupture of the alternator and vapour cycle
cooling system compressor drive shaft and of cracks on the standby-
alternator and compressor support were reportedly found.
Such failures could lead to the loss of the alternator and of
the vapour cycle cooling systems, and could also cause mechanical
damage inside the power plant compartment.
To address this condition, the AD 2008-0129-E superseded AD
2008-0067-E and mandates the removal, as a temporary measure, of the
compressor drive belt and of the torque limiter, the conditional
replacement of the pulley drive shear shaft, and repetitive
inspections for cracks of the pulley drive assembly and of the
alternator/compressor support.
Revision 1 of the AD 2008-0129-E introduced an alternative
temporary solution with the aim to restore the capability to make
use of the air conditioning system. This solution consists in
replacing the original pulley drive assembly by a time-limited
assembly of a new design, corresponding to the SOCATA modification
MOD 70-0240-21.
A definitive solution has been released to production aeroplanes
by implementation of SOCATA modification MOD 70-0243-21 or Service
Bulletin (SB) 70-176-21 for in-service aeroplanes.
This AD which supersedes EASA AD 2008-0129R1-E retaining its
requirements, limits the AD applicability and requires
accomplishment of the terminating action.
Actions and Compliance
(f) For airplanes S/Ns 434 through 459 only, unless already
done, before further flight as of September 18, 2008 (the effective
date of AD 2008-19-06), do the following actions following EADS
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161,
amendment 2, dated July 2008:
(1) Remove the pulley drive assembly, the torque limiter, the
compressor drive belt, and the alternator/compressor support.
(2) Inspect for cracks the pulley drive surfaces and the
alternator/compressor support welds.
(i) If any crack is detected, before further flight, replace the
pulley drive assembly following the accomplishment instructions in
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment
1, dated February 2010.
(ii) Replacement of the assembly incorporates replacement of the
pulley drive sheer shaft required by paragraph (f)(3) of this AD for
airplanes with 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) or more with the
torque limiter installed on the pulley drive shear shaft.
(3) Replace any pulley drive shear shaft that has accumulated 30
hours TIS or more with the torque limiter installed. This action is
not required if you replaced the whole assembly per paragraph
(f)(2)(i) of this AD.
(4) Re-install the pulley drive assembly and the alternator/
compressor support, without re-installing the compressor drive belt
or the torque limiter.
(5) Insert EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service
Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, in the limitations
section of the pilot's operating handbook and install on the
instrument panel and in the pilot's primary field of vision a
placard with the following text:
``AIR COND'' INOPERATIVE RECOMMENDED ``AIR COND'' SWITCH POSITION:
``MANUAL''
(g) For all S/N airplanes;
(1) Within 100 hours TIS after September 18, 2008 (the effective
date of AD 2008-19-06), and repetitively thereafter at intervals not
to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect for cracks on the pulley drive
surfaces and the alternator/compressor support welds, following EADS
SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161,
amendment 2, dated July 2008.
(i) For airplanes S/Ns 434 through 459, the inspection required
in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD is considered the initial inspection
required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
(ii) For accomplishment of the repetitive inspections required
by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, paragraph C.2 of the accomplishment
instructions of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service
Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008, does not apply
since the torque limiter has already been removed.
(2) If cracks are found during any of the inspections required
in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the
assembly following SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin SB
70-176, amendment 1, dated February 2010.
(h) At the next annual inspection or within 5 months after March
1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first,
replace the alternator/compressor support and pulley drive
assemblies with P/N T700G215500700100 (alternator/compressor
support) and P/N T700G215513500000 (Pulley drive assembly),
following the accomplishment instructions of SOCATA Mandatory TBM
Aircraft Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February,
2010.
(1) After March 1, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do not
install alternator/compressor support P/N T700G215500700000 and a
pulley drive assembly P/N T700G215510000000.
(2) Accomplishment of corrective actions as required by
paragraph (f)(2)(i), paragraph (g)(2), or paragraph (h) of this AD
terminates the actions required in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this
AD.
Note 1: SOCATA SB 70-161, amendment 4, dated October 2009, has
been published by SOCATA in order to close the range of airplane S/
Ns concerned by temporary actions.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: No differences.
Other FAA AD Provisions
(i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to Attn: Albert Mercado, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4119; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using
any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify
your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
Special Flight Permit
(j) We are allowing permission to ferry an airplane to a
maintenance location to accomplish actions required by paragraph (1)
of this AD provided that the air conditioning is switched off during
the entire flight duration.
Related Information
(k) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2010-0130, dated June 29, 2010;
EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161,
amendment 2, dated July 2008; and SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft
[[Page 4219]]
Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, for
related information.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service Bulletin
Service Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010, and
EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161,
amendment 2, dated July 2008, to do the actions required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft Service
Bulletin SB 70-176, amendment 1, dated February, 2010 under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On October 8, 2008 (73 FR 54067, September 18, 2008), the
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the
incorporation by reference of EADS SOCATA Mandatory TBM Aircraft
Alert Service Bulletin SB 70-161, amendment 2, dated July 2008.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
SOCATA--Direction des Services, 65921 Tarbes Cedex 9, France;
telephone: +33 (0)5 62 41 73 00; fax: +33 (0)5 62 41 7-54; or in the
United States contact SOCATA North America, Inc., North Perry
Airport, 7501 South Airport Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023;
telephone: (954) 893-1400; fax: (954) 964-4141.
(4) You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.
(5) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-370 Filed 1-24-11; 8:45 am]
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